LUTZ, Fla.— The transition from military career to civilian life can be a real challenge, and finding a good job is one of the most important factors in a veteran’s success. Unemployment among young veterans is high, and navigating the job market can be difficult, particularly when a veteran has trouble explaining how his or her military skills translate to a civilian job. Clearly, veterans need tools to help them meet the challenge of finding a great career that matches their interests and uses the skills they developed while serving their country. The popular Self-Directed Search® (SDS®) from PAR, Inc., a leading publisher of assessment instruments, provides a solution: The brand-new SDS 5th Edition is a 15-minute, self-administered test for veterans beginning their civilian career search.
The SDS 5th Edition is based on Dr. John Holland’s theory that both people and work environments fit into six basic categories: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional (known collectively as RIASEC). The SDS generates a three-letter Summary Code for each user, based on his or her aspirations, activities, competencies, and interest in different occupations. Users can match their Summary Codes to jobs in the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) database, which lists thousands of current jobs at all skill and education levels.
The SDS 5th Edition includes a new component called the Veterans and Military Occupations Finder™ (VMOF). The VMOF allows users to explore career options by linking military occupation titles with civilian jobs. After taking the SDS, users match their three-letter Holland Summary Code to Occupational Information Network (O*NET) career options and education requirements. The VMOF helps users to better understand how they can apply the skills they developed in the military to civilian occupations.
No special training or qualifications are needed with the SDS; it is designed to be self-administered, self-scored, and self-interpreted. The SDS can be taken online; with paper and pencil; or via PARiConnect, PAR’s new online assessment system.
The SDS Web site (www.self-directed-search.com) has also been updated with new resources for veterans and a contemporary, easy-to-navigate user interface. The newly revised report includes an “at-a-glance” summary, and users can share their results via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and more. The SDS 5th Edition is designed to work on mobile devices and tablets.
To learn more about the SDS 5th Edition, visit www.self-directed-search.com or call 1.800.331.8378.
Founded in 1978, PAR is a leading publisher of assessment instruments, software, and other related materials. Over the past three decades, PAR has earned a reputation for providing customers with innovative assessment solutions and unparalleled customer service.